Levante

M

MAF260

Member
Messages
7,662
I quite like the Kubang design, so hope the Levante looks just like it. There are certainly far worse looking SUVs out there, so if I was in the market for one this would definitely be a consideration. I dont really understand the concerns about Maserati producing diesels or SUVs as they need these sort of cars to survive and to finance the sports cars. I buy what I like without regard to anyone else's opinion. My diesel Ghibli and yellow GranSport are testament to that!
 
daverichardson

daverichardson

Member
Messages
6,001
Not impressed with the ethos, the Kubang or the Levante
but like everyone else I will have to wait and see so I will keep my powder dry for the moment
 
Classico

Classico

Member
Messages
895
Not for me, but then again, I'm not in the SUV market as I detest all equally.

As others have said, if it sells and helps the bottom line, all power to it.

The GT replacement and Alfieri have been pushed back enough as is. Cash flow for the till can only help.
 
safrane

safrane

Member
Messages
16,896
Lets just hope the broader the company diversifies that it still produces a sports car and does not spend their time using the trident name to shift half arsed efforts just to make ££££.

Seen too many old makes go this way they just become a badge to pop onto standard fodder with an extra 20bhp and a rear spoiler.
 
highlander

highlander

Member
Messages
5,224
safrane said:
Lets just hope the broader the company diversifies that it still produces a sports car and does not spend their time using the trident name to shift half arsed efforts just to make ££££.

Seen too many old makes go this way they just become a badge to pop onto standard fodder with an extra 20bhp and a rear spoiler.
Click to expand...

that is my big worry Peter. once accountants become involved, look out!
 
Rwc13

Rwc13

Member
Messages
1,668
Jesus, talk about 'glass half empty' So you would describe Porche's success and Jaguar's recent rejuvenation as such? Given the benefit of the doubt and continuing support from the marque enthusiasts, perhaps Maserati can achieve something similar.

And what have accountants got to do with it?
 
safrane

safrane

Member
Messages
16,896
Accounts - sadly everything.

Jags future is very precious as its the LR section that makes the money. Jag in the US has cut it prices by 20% and they lost a fortune in China esp following the explosion.

As for Porches... Love the 911 but that's it.

I may be pessimistic but Maser have not produced anthing that stirs my passion since the GT (Getting long in the tooth) and the QP v, now replaced by a bloated barge...not convinced by the Gibber...soiled the great name.

So I hope I am wrong and the optimist prove to be right.
 
drewf

drewf

Member
Messages
7,159
Rwc13 said:
[snip] No, not if it secures the viability and profitability of the brand and its future sports and GT cars. The Cayenne and now Macan have been fundamental to this for Porsche.

The priority here surely is for Maserati to continue to be viable and profitable and to be in a position to develop the quality replacement sports and GT cars that we all want.
Click to expand...

MAF260 said:
I dont really understand the concerns about Maserati producing diesels or SUVs as they need these sort of cars to survive and to finance the sports cars.
Click to expand...

What makes either of you so certain that Maserati will ever produce a new sports/GT car, if the SUV and Diesel saloons are successful? What will persuade the management to build anything that has a lower margin? It's a given that if they aren't successful, there's very little chance of any new cars appearing, since they need a great deal of money to create them.

safrane said:
Lets just hope the broader the company diversifies that it still produces a sports car and does not spend their time using the trident name to shift half arsed efforts just to make ££££.

Seen too many old makes go this way they just become a badge to pop onto standard fodder with an extra 20bhp and a rear spoiler.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I'm also worried that the current Maserati/FCA management are thinking this way.

Rwc13 said:
Jesus, talk about 'glass half empty' So you would describe Porche's success and Jaguar's recent rejuvenation as such? Given the benefit of the doubt and continuing support from the marque enthusiasts, perhaps Maserati can achieve something similar.

And what have accountants got to do with it?
Click to expand...

Absolutely everything. They run the business - Maserati isn't a car manufacturer for enthusiasts of a historic marque. Porsche and Jaguar success has been driven by singular determination from people with significant money to spend, working with much higher volumes, and not really answerable to a corporate board of financiers. FCA is exactly in that position - the accountants run the show. It really doesn't matter how many people 'demand' a new sportscar/GT car - if they can't see the return in hard cash over a short term, they won't only not want to do it, they simply don't have the cash to do it even if they wanted to.
 
Rwc13

Rwc13

Member
Messages
1,668
I agree it's not certain, but more likely if the mainstream cars are successful.

But your comments about accountants are just plain wrong in general, and specifically in this case. FCA is run by a board of directors, typically one of them will be an accountant. Perhaps you are confusing 'management' with 'accountants'?
 
drewf

drewf

Member
Messages
7,159
Rwc13 said:
I agree it's not certain, but more likely if the mainstream cars are successful.

But your comments about accountants are just plain wrong in general, and specifically in this case. FCA is run by a board of directors, typically one of them will be an accountant. Perhaps you are confusing 'management' with 'accountants'?
Click to expand...

I'll admit I'm playing a little bit of Devil's Advocate here, but my point was that even if the mainstream cars are wildly successful (which they currently aren't), the Maserati management will have to have a very good reason for building a new sports/GT car. The only reason the board will accept is that it will create a significant return on investment for the shareholders. They've proven that they aren't interested in the idea of building a halo car to draw punters in, otherwise the Alfieri would be reality by now.

No, the accountants are in charge - and FCA has rather more than one accountant on the board. Take a look... I'm not confused here; there currently isn't an engineering lead, or design lead, or cultural lead in charge at FCA, and more specifically at Maserati. Money is the chief driver, and sadly they don't have room to manoeuvre around that point.

The way things are going with FCA, I'm ever less convinced that we will see an Alfieri at all.
 
safrane

safrane

Member
Messages
16,896
Given the current run of fines in the US they need the money for that to stay is business and car development will be pretty limited until they have a war chest in a few years if all goes well.
 
daverichardson

daverichardson

Member
Messages
6,001
drewf said:
I'll admit I'm playing a little bit of Devil's Advocate here, but my point was that even if the mainstream cars are wildly successful (which they currently aren't), the Maserati management will have to have a very good reason for building a new sports/GT car. The only reason the board will accept is that it will create a significant return on investment for the shareholders. They've proven that they aren't interested in the idea of building a halo car to draw punters in, otherwise the Alfieri would be reality by now.

No, the accountants are in charge - and FCA has rather more than one accountant on the board. Take a look... I'm not confused here; there currently isn't an engineering lead, or design lead, or cultural lead in charge at FCA, and more specifically at Maserati. Money is the chief driver, and sadly they don't have room to manoeuvre around that point.

The way things are going with FCA, I'm ever less convinced that we will see an Alfieri at all.
Click to expand...


Sorry to say but I think you are dead right
My own personal plan is to eventually buy as late a QPV as I can and that should see out my motoring days (or maybe a GT)
As for the marque, well it is possibly doomed
 
mjheathcote

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,045
dave richardson said:
Sorry to say but I think you are dead right
My own personal plan is to eventually buy as late a QPV as I can and that should see out my motoring days (or maybe a GT)
As for the marque, well it is possibly doomed
Click to expand...

Blimey how old are you to talk about seeing out your motoring days!
Remember by late Grandfather talking like that, his 'last car' ended up being the third from last!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.